Who are your Top 10 Artisan Soapmakers?

No particular order although MW would be my #1 at the moment.

1. Mystic Water
2. Barrister & Mann
3. Stirling
4. Soap Commander
5. Mike's
6. RazoRock (tallow versions)
7. Dapper Dragon
8. TTFFC / Maggard
9. Strop Shoppe

I still would like to try CRSW and Reef Point...

TSEvangelist I also had trouble lathering Mystic Water, at least until I got a water softener. Do you have hard water? That seems to affect this soap rather significantly for whatever reason, at least for some folks.

Also, I find the regular formula to be less finicky than the Sensitive Skin formula. I'm not sure which one you tried.

If you don't have very hard water and are using the regular formula, the best remedy in that case would be to watch the Merkur Man video on how to lather Mystic Water soaps. It's a fairly easy technique alteration but rather unorthodox compared to how I used to lather most soaps.

1. Barrister & Mann
2. Dapper Dragon
3. Stirling
4. Tim's
5. Mike's Natural

While B&M would be my favorite of the five I have put up, all have been outstanding for me, whether the comparison is among artisans, as all of these are, or among all shavings soaps, even commercial ones that have been around for a very very long time.

I don't know that I can give a properly ordered list, but here are some of my favorites, separated into tallow/non-tallow soaps. Keep in mind that I consider performance over cost:

Tallow:

Barrister & Mann (Glissant)
Mystic Water (lanolin & Sensitive formulas)

Non-Tallow:

PannaCrema (Nuavia)
Jabonman/Eufros
Tabula Rasa (yeah it's a cream :p)

I'm sure I've forgotten a few, but these are some that stand out off the top of my head.

Another interesting thread- many if not most of my favorites have been listed but...

1. B&M
2. WSP
3. Sapone di Paolo
4. Dapper Dragon
5. Soapsmooth/Krampert's
6. LPL
7. IB/RR/TFS
8. Deluxe Shaving
9. Soap Commander
10. Mystic Waters

I would also add Tim's as I really like the performance and scents but he is taking a hiatus, and not readily available.

Chiseled Face also would be up there but stopped at 10 in no particular order!

A few of you folks have mentioned @"Sapone Di Paolo". I really need to get around to trying that soap. I've only heard great things!

A few of you folks have mentioned @"Sapone Di Paolo". I really need to get around to trying that soap. I've only heard great things!

NeoXerxes I doubt you will be disappointed. One of my favorites. Great performance and super post shave.

I have the Cremoso and Agrume and they are both wonderful scents as well. Plus, Paolo's service is top notch. Another hearty recommendation.

Paolo's reputation for service precedes him. I read about a positive customer service experience on another forum and was very impressed by the way he handled the situation.

Which scent should I start with? I most often like fresh scents in shaving soaps.

Paolo's reputation for service precedes him. I read about a positive customer service experience on another forum and was very impressed by the way he handled the situation.

Which scent should I start with? I most often like fresh scents in shaving soaps.

Hi NeoXerxes , for a fresh scent I would start with the Agrume. Lime + basil and a very subtle yet refreshing soap.

Thanks for the recommendation kwsher! Lime and basil sound right up my alley. I can pair the soap with Jo Malone's Lime, Basil, and Mandarin!